Universal gating package



Jan. 21, 1958 F. R. DEAN ETAL UNIVERSAL GATING PACKAGE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 K (FIG. 1C)

(FIG: :A) s VARIABLE (Hale) LOGlC CHART c (FIG. IF) =(Z-a)v c (FIG. I D) Z- a (FIG. IE)

I THREE- FIG.

INWWTMS FRANKLIN fi Dan/v Jan. 21, 1958 F. R. DEAN ETAL.

UNIVERSAL GATING PACKAGE Filed Aug. 29, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ulmil iii Jam. 21, 1958 F. R. DEAN ET AL 2,82

UNIVERSAL GATING PACKAGE Filed Aug. 29, 1955 6 ShGGtS ShGGt 3 GATES 4 LEG BUFFER 2 4 LE G ASSERTION GATES I DELAY AMPLIFIER & INVERTER (ONE PULSE PERIOD) 2 J I 3-LEG GATES NEGATION FIG. 3 3C-PAC. A SIMPLE AND VERSATILE GATING PACKAGE F. R. DEAN ET AL UNIVERSAL GATING PACKAGE Jan. 21, 1958 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 6 Sheets- Sheet 5 R. DEAN ETAL UNIVERSAL GATING PACKAGE Jan. 21, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 o SE30 20.282

,. 7 3 2205 u Emonc mum 5a x0040 FRAN LIN R. DEA/V w m; WM v m 2,820,897 Patented Jan. 21, 1958 UNIVERSAL GATING PACKAGE Franklin R. Dean and Robert W. Brooks, Needham, Mass., assignors to Computer Control Company, Inc, Wellesley, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,068

Claims. (Cl. 250-27) The present invention relates to a computer device and more particularly to a unit of such a device, a plurality of which form an essential part of the computer structure of the present invention. Such a unit may be designated A computer building block, A universal gating package, A logical dynamic decisions device, A logical decisions package, or simply A logical package.

It forms the basic computer element or package from which a large electronic computer may be built up. The basic package of the present invention may be a package having the ability to produce all functions of three variables by the use of a gating structure which results in synchronized output signals used to operate other identical packages.

The present invention further contemplates the use of a package having four three-legged gates and buffers for handling three variables as well as a pacakge of two four-legged gates and two three-legged gates which is able to handle all functions of three variables as well as 51,358 functions of four variables and many functions of five to fourteen variables.

The merits, purposes, advantages, and the basic principles of the present invention will be more fully understood from the description in the specification set forth below when taken in connection with the diagrams, charts and drawings forming a part of the invention in which:

Figure l (a, b, c, d, e, and 1) shows a logic chart for all combinations of three variables A B C with the building up of the function (A-B)vC;

Figure 2 shows the use of 8 gates and buffers for the 3-variable function built up in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a gating package built up of two fourlegged gates and two three-legged gates with a four-leg buffer and other elements used in the package;

Figure 4 shows how a gating package may be made to function using the negation of the signals or pulses by means of an amplifier and inverter;

Figure 5 shows schematically an actual circuit for the package shown in Figures 3 and 4; and

Figure 6 shows the kind of pulse signal which may be used for the clock pulse, the positive signals, assertion outputs and negative signals, negation outputs.

Figure l, a to f inclusive, shows a logic chart of three variables in which there are 2 or 2 =256 combinations. Figure 1 illustrates the building up of a simple function of the three variables selected at random for illustration, namely (A-B)vC.

In the present system there are only two conditions to be considered for each variable. If the variable is true, it is represented by 1; if false, it is represented by Os. In the nomenclature to follow, the negation of the variable is represented by a line over the variable, as 2, so that if A is true, 2 is false; and if 2 is true, A is false. Where both A and B are true (A-B) as written is true. Where either A or B is true (AvB) as written is true. Similarly,

where 2 -1 3) are true, both A and B must be false; and

where (A v5) is true, either A or B must be false.

Upon the basis of Figure 1, the chart for the building of the function f =(A-B)vC will combine the results shown in l b, c, d and e. The chart b shows the shaded squares which are true when 2 is true which occurs when A is false; the chart c shows the shaded squares which are true when B is true; the chart d shows the shaded squares which are true when both (A -B) are true; and the chart e shows the shaded squares which are true when C is true.

The conditions fulfilling the (Z-B) conditions is shown on chart d and that fulfilling (A B)vC conditions is shown in chart 1. The condition fulfilling f= (A-B)vC conditions is the summations of the five squares involving 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 of Figure I) as follows:

The eight-gate structure of Figure 2 is shown set up to represent the truth of the statement f (Z-BWC of Figure 2. The false of the statement can be represented by merely implementing the unshaded squares of the chart of Figure 1.

In Figure 3 is shown a simplified package which can perform all of the functions of the three variable eight gate package of Figure 2. As has been stated above, this package further handles many functions of four and more variables. The four gate package of Figure 3 can replace the eight gate package of Figure 2 because of the use of the inverter at the outputs of the package.

The output inverter permits either the truth or the false of the output to be selected as desired. If the number of shaded squares of Figure l were four or less, the truth of the output would be selected for implementation; while if they were more than four, the false of the output would be selected for implementation. It is possible to accommodate, therefore, all the selections of three variable functions by only four gates.

In Figure 3 the composition of the package is made up of two four-legged gates and two three-legged gates, each gate working through the same four leg bufier through a delay line of one pulse period to an amplifier and inverter from which either the assertion or the negation may be selected. For the function f (Z-BWC, if the three unshielded squares are selected the squares 1, 5 and 7 of Figure la will provide through the inverter the same results from the device of Figure 3 that the five gates and buffer for the three variables which is supplied from Figure 2.

The general rules for implementing any function of three variables with the package of Figure 3 may be set down as follows:

(1) Shade in the squares of the three-variable chart that represent the truth of the defined function 7.

(2) If the number of shaded squares is four or less, implement function f by making the connections that correspond to the shaded squares. The positive output lead indicates the truth 1 of the function represented; the negative output lead represents the false 1.

(3) If the number of shaded squares is greater than four, implement the function f by making the connections that correspond to the unshaded squares (i. e., implement the false 1 of the function). The negative output lead represents the truth 1 of the described function; the positive output lead represents the false 1 of the function.

Figure 4 shows how the function f (A-B)vC is im plemented in accordance with the unshaded squares of Figure 1 Square 1 of Figure 4 represents by A-E-E; square No. 5 represents by (A-B-C) and square No. 7

vide'a"resultant output pulse trainYOnes'irch pulse operation' is performed each 'microsecond'bec'ause 'of 'the delay which furnishes" a one-*microsewndpuls'e 'delay' period. Theresultof this operation is carried over'for'use during the'nextpulse period; The one'pulse period delay is usedytherefore, to perform this carry-over function and The nega'tionof" this function,"

aids in the synchronization of pulse signals. It may be d a le to h l t es putp e a n f great rtthan a single pulse period and'if so, a greater pulse delay peso l ail fi .1, Inithe drawing tnFi'g res mere are two three-legged gateswithjinputs F,I -I,"= J K,'"L,1-M- respectively connected to diodes D14; D13,' D1 2," and D11, D10 and D9 respectively andj'two 'fou'r-leg'ged' gates with inputs N,'"P, R, S and 'T,"U, V and Wiconjnected to diodes D8, D7, D6, D5, D4, D3, D2, andDl respectively. In normal operation, these gate inputs F toW ar'e connected directly to' the outputs of other gating packages and receivefrom them meposinve or negativersign als for operation. All of' the igate circuits are"identical in consanction." Y

Before further describing the arrangement shown in Figure 5, it "may be' desir'iablef toestablish some definition'swhich will be used in the description of this figure:

(1) All signals arefde'fined by, voltage level as 01- lows: 'Ihe'fals'e'signal zero is defined as'havi'ng- 'a voltage V levelfof below -2 'volts;' the true signal fon'e'is'defined ashaving a voltage level ofabove 0 'volts: i

(2.) Assertion output l-outj is 'refe'rred'to 3 /2, volt's 'thro ugh' 91 ohms terminating resistor inthe'output,

normally zero which may be'puls'ed positive to an assertion one.

(3) Negationoutput out)" "referred to +1.0 'volt through 91 ohms terminating resistor 'inioutput, normally one pulsed negative to zero.

(4)" The conventional diode is shown insFi'gui'e 5 for D1 to D14 as an example in whichfthe' arrow points in the directionof positive current flow anode to cathode thus a]. a

(5) Agate structure is defined asa diode structure connected so' that all inputs must'be one for the output to' be one. 'A zero on anyinpu't leg" will cause zero output ofthe gate.

(6) Bufier.'' fhis"is a diode-structure connected so that a one or assertion on anyinp'ut will cause an assertionof one on the output.

(7) Pu se" period'.'This is' a time betweentwoadjacent clock pulses which will be discussed later."

The legs of each gate on the input in Figure 5 are connected in parallel. As long as'anyinput gives a signal represented by zero which, of course, is "the false signal, the gate will be zero and the diode associated with'the zero signal will prevent the gate from rising above 3.5 volts and, therefore, no signal .will'be'passed through the gate. 'lf'all the inputs to the" gate are floating (not conducted) or are raised to the one condition as opposed to the zero condition, namely, having a potential of above 0 volts, the output is raised via the leg rsistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 and a one signal is obtained. The output circuit of the diodes D1 toDl l, namely the connections to the, anodes, TF1, TF2, TF3 and TF4, are connected to the anodes of the bufiersDl9, 132G, D21. and D22 respectively. r M

Tnerearealso connectedto these anodes resistors R1,

pariallelfto a sixty volts source and lay-passed to ground by a small capacitor I The reshape diodes D15, D16, D17" and' Dlspi-event a one "a reeableowarring-until R2,- R3 and Rdrespectively, which are connected in a positive clock pulse occurs at the clock input, which is indicated at Y in Figure 5. Should any of the four gates produce a one signal, that is a voltage above 0 volts, the appropriate buffer diode D19 to D22, will conduct and cause the grid 1 of the amplifier tube V1 to go positive according to the voltageaat Tf5 from the positive signal out of the buffer circuit. At the input of the amplifier circuit, there is' a resistance divider" network comprising the resistances RS and Rfi whi ehjsdesigned to make the anode potential of'the diode D23 which'rnay be called the clamp' diodernormally. about ---2 volts.' Under no signal condition this diode D23 conducts and holds the amplifier-""in pu't' potenti'afto "a -2 "volts." All' signals through the gate and buffer; input must rise to at least 2 volts before the amplifier grid starts to rise. In this manner, all noise of less than 1.5 volts amplitude is clipped before reaching the amplifier; Asthe amplifier goes into conduction by fa signal of greater than j 2 volts, the anode in the amplifier, namely, the plate6 is'driven negative and through transformer action positive feedback is applied by the'diode D24 and limiting resistor'R8 to the gridl. Amplificationis greater than unity so that regeneration "takes" place and is limited only by plate bottoming and "at this point regeneratio'n has completely taken "over control fromthe'ga te buifer input; The negativepulse output from transformer T1 at terminals 8 and 9 on thesecondary' is delayed approximately onehalf a pulse period and is fed back to'the amplifier input via'the diode 25 and limiting resistor R9 and, thereby, the input pulse isst opped As a result of these actions, the amplifier output pulse is standardized in time, amplitude and width by the clock, pulse reshaping, amplifier saturation limiting and'delayed negative feed-back, re spe ctively. Two 'seet anda ry' output windings'are used, theiasserti on windingproviding the positive signals are given across "terminals 6 and 7, which are referred to a 3.5 volt and yields a positive pulse. The negative windings terminals 8 and 9 is referred to a 1.0 volt and yieldsa negative pulse. Apair'of diodes mainly D26 and D27 in the output of the terminals 6 and 7 and D28 and'D29 in the output of the terminals 8 and 9 serve in the following fashion. During pulse time, both diodes D26 and D28 are conducting. Diodes D27 and D29 are, however, open providing an open circuit and the transformer is loaded by delay lines DLl and DLZ. Delayed signals are available, therefore, at the output across the terminals 3, 5 ail-d2, '4.

Energy stored in the transformer during the pulse" application must be released between adjacent pulsings. This energy releaseisobserved' as a pulse overshoot in the'trans'former." -Thisovershoot is kept from the outback increases-fthe gain of the amplifier-and continues to drive 'thecontrol grid even-after-zthe gate 'signalis .no longer pre'sent:- The:electromagneticdelay lines DLl and DL2 are connected to the positive and negativesignals of 'the output of the transformers 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively and are of proper length (electrical delay) so that the logical package hasexactly one microsecond delay from signal input of the gating structure to the signal output of the delayfline. From a point approxim'atelyfat the" middle "of the, negative signer enzyme DL2, the signal" is 4 fed back to the conti'ol gridaiviai' 'a.

. limiting -resistor-' R9 -and-an" isolation diode D25. 'Thi's =negative feed back is used to bonirol tlr avntsofthj'e amplified signal by restoring the grid to its normal bias voltage and thus stopping the regenerated action of the positive feed-back to the grid.

Figure 6 shows in A, B and C the various types of signals which are used for the different impulses. A indicates the clock pulse which is applied over the line Y in Figure 5. This shows a rise of approximately 7 volts at the beginning of the one microsecond long period. The positive assertion signal indicated the pulse also of the same height which commences a little ahead of the clock pulse and which has already risen to approximately maximum signal when the clock pulse begins. The negative signal or negative output signal is just the opposite of the positive pulse and rises to a negative 7 volt signal before the clock pulse has begun to function.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A universal logical package having input and output terminals and adapted for interconnection and association with a plurality of identical packages for the implementation of logical operations comprising, an electronic circuit including a plurality of And gates and an Or gate, each of said And gates having a predetermined number of inputs coupled to respective ones of said input terminals for external excitation by binary data input signals and each having one additional input joined to a common one of said input terminals for external excitation by a synchronizing clock signal, means for applying the outputs of said And gates as inputs to said Or gate, an amplifier having an input responsive to the output of said Or gate and an output circuit for simultaneously energizing first and second like delay lines in opposite polarity and for simultaneously providing a regenerative feedback signal to said amplifier input, means coupling a tap on one of said delay lines to said amplifier input to furnish a negative feedback signal for controlling the time duration of signals transferred by said amplifier, and means coupling the outputs of said delay lines to said output terminals of said logical package.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the delay period or said delay lines is substantially equal to the period between clock pulses applied to said common one of said input terminals.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said plurality of diode And gates is comprised of two And gate circuits each having four similarly poled parallel diode legs and two And gate circuits each having three similarly poled parallel diode legs, each of said four And gates having an additional similarly poled parallel diode leg responsive to said externally applied clock signal applied to said common one of said input terminals.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said delay line tap provides said output negative feedback signal at a time substantially one half clock period subsequent to the excitation of the input of the respective delay line.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 and having terminals for the application of opposite polarity bias signals to the outputs of said delay lines.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,673,293 Eckert et a1 Mar. 23, 1954 2,674,727 Spielberg Apr. 6, 1954 2,712,065 Elbourn et al June 28, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Proc. of the IRE, val. 41, No. 10, October 1953, pp. 1308, 1309. 

